Tips From the Experts for Successful Clicker Training

Clicker training is a widely accepted and popular method for training pets with positive reinforcement. The clicker method is easy for anyone to learn, even children. Animal trainers have found clicker training to be a wonderful training tool. Following are some tips from professional animal trainers to help you and your pet reap the most from your clicker training experiences.

Mary Hunter, stalecheerios.com

“Have a well defined plan. It’s easy to get in trouble or get stuck if you haven’t mapped out where you’re going. Decide what you will and won’t click for. Plan each step towards your goal. Think about potential problem spots and know before you start what to do in each of these situations.”

Pamela Dennison, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Dog Training

“Make a list of the behaviors you observe in your dog now, along with what you’d rather see instead….When you identify what you want, you’ll be surprised at how often you actually do get these behaviors—even without training. No dog can be ‘bad’ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week….And now you can start reinforcing the ‘good’ behaviors because you know what to look for.”

Jane Killion, When Pigs Fly!: Training Success With Impossible Dogs

“If you want a dog that is quiet and polite in the house, you have to reinforce that. Every dog calms down sometimes, even if it is only for ten seconds. Find that ten seconds and reinforce it….By reinforcing the quiet behavior, you can grow those ten seconds of calmness into hours of calmness.”

Mary Ray and Andrea McHugh, Click & Train Your Dog

“Practice with a clicker before using it near your dog, and remember that he has sensitive hearing so avoid close proximity to his head.”

Melissa Eldredge, Amazing Pet Tricks

“If you are training a cat, try out some cat treats. Cats are often pickier than dogs, so don’t buy a whole bunch of one type of treat until you’re sure your cat will like it.”

Marilyn Krieger, Naughty No More

“Cats are easily sidetracked. It is important to train in a location without distractions such as other animals or loud noises, where your cat feels safe. The treats you are using as primary reinforcers should be the only food available during the training sessions.”

Clicker Training for Dogs, www.medicinenet.com/pets/dog-health/clicker_training_for_dogs.htm

“Practice a new behavior in many different places so that your pet learns how to do it everywhere. Start in calm, quiet environments and slowly work up to more distracting locations.”

Clicker Training for Dogs, www.medicinenet.com/pets/dog-health/clicker_training_for_dogs.htm

“Some trainers like to click and then deliver a “jackpot”-a bunch of treats-when their pet has accomplished a particularly challenging task. Big efforts deserve big rewards!”

Mandy Book and Cheryl Smith, Quick Clicks - 40 Fast and Fun Behaviors to Train With a Clicker

“Because clicker training is ‘no-force’ training, it’s an excellent method to use with fearful dogs, and can be managed by both children and seniors, even with large breed dogs.”